Issue Updateshttps://forestresources.org
Thu, 21 Mar 2019 16:50:52 -0400Joomla! - Open Source Content Managementen-gbIssue Update 3/15/19https://forestresources.org/policy-priorities/issue-updates/item/1397-issue-update-3-15-19
https://forestresources.org/policy-priorities/issue-updates/item/1397-issue-update-3-15-19On March 13, President Trump signed the Natural Resources Management Act (NRMA) into law. The NRMA combined more than 100 separate bills that collectively designate 1.4 million acres of wilderness, 367 miles of new scenic rivers, and 2,600 miles of new national trails.

Disaster Relief Supplemental Funding Moving in Senate

Senate Republicans plan to pass a $13.6 billion disaster relief bill for areas impacted by wildfires and Hurricanes Michael and Florence by the end of March. Sponsors of the bipartisan legislation (S. 572) say they have President Trump’s support. The House already passed a $14.2 billion aid measure in January. Both bills include supplemental funding for the Emergency Forest Restoration Program, the National Forest System, and State and Private Forestry. If the Senate were to pass a disaster relief bill, a conference committee deal would likely move quickly to a passage in the House and Senate.

Biomass 101

Biomass 101 provided an informative counterpoint to an opinion piece that appeared in the March 7 edition of The Hill. The opinion makes the claim that burning wood is adding to climate change. Look for the opinion and counterpoint here.

Support for Forest Service Programs

FRA joined with other associations and signed on to letters in support of funding U.S. Forest Service programs. These programs provide support for Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA), State and Private Forestry, and Research and Development. The FIA program is a continuous inventory of our nation’s forestlands and provides many benefits to FRA members. State and Private Forestry provides important technical and financial assistance to private landowners about forest management. The Research and Development program provides for research that is important to support forest policy efforts and land management decisions. These letters will be sent to the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies next week. The support letters were prepared by the American Forest Foundation.

Historic Lands Act Signed into Law

On March 13, President Trump signed the Natural Resources Management Act (NRMA) into law. The NRMA combined more than 100 separate bills that collectively designate 1.4 million acres of wilderness, 367 miles of new scenic rivers, and 2,600 miles of new national trails. The law also permanently reauthorizes the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund that provides grants to fund parks, wildlife and recreation projects in all 50 states. In February, the House and Senate passed the NRMA in an unusual bipartisan fashion.

Wolf Delisting

Today, the US Fish and Wildlife Service published their plan to remove federal protections for wolves in the Federal Register. David Bernhardt, acting Secretary of the DOI said: “The facts are clear and indisputable—the gray wolf no longer meets the definition of a threatened or endangered species.” The proposed rule would have the greatest impact in the states of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin where forest management has led to the recovery of the species, and where a court order has retained ESA protections for well-established wolf populations. The proposed rule will have a 60-day comment period, which ends on May 14. The DOI news release can be found here.

A Good Read

Congressman Bruce Westerman, representing Arkansas’s fourth district, contributing opinion editorial was published in The Hill on March 14. The Congressman promotes that the best way to preserve forests is to use trees! We agree.

]]>user@mecgnv.com (FRA Admin)Issue UpdatesFri, 15 Mar 2019 06:54:52 -0400Issue Update 3/8/19https://forestresources.org/policy-priorities/issue-updates/item/1395-issue-update-3-8-19
https://forestresources.org/policy-priorities/issue-updates/item/1395-issue-update-3-8-19The Lake States Region Bat Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) continues to be developed by the Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources. The DNRs have completed drafts of the remaining chapters that are currently being reviewed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Lake States Region Bat Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) continues to be developed by the Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources. The DNRs have completed drafts of the remaining chapters that are currently being reviewed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. We anticipate the release of the remaining chapters for public review in April. Chapters 4 and 5 are the most critical chapters as they will provide information on take assessment and conservations strategy, respectively. FRA has been engaged with the DNRs throughout this process to assure the conservation measures allow forest management to continue as normal. If you would like to review the response received to the comments submitted by FRA on the first three chapters of the HCP, they are provided here.

Efforts continue to urge the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to “expeditiously” release the remaining H-2B visas (69,320) allowed by law. Both the House and Senate sent a letter to Secretary Nielson that addressed the importance of additional H-2B visas for seasonal employers.

A number of “Bag Bills” are being introduced in state legislatures across the country. In total, 65 bills are being considered. These bills, in general, eliminate the use of plastic bags in favor of paper bags. On the negative side, many of the proposed bills include a fee/tax for using paper bags at the point of purchase. AF&PA has compiled a list of bills by state that are included here.

]]>user@mecgnv.com (FRA Admin)Issue UpdatesFri, 08 Mar 2019 07:46:59 -0500Issue Update 2/22/2019https://forestresources.org/policy-priorities/issue-updates/item/1385-issue-update-2-22-2019
https://forestresources.org/policy-priorities/issue-updates/item/1385-issue-update-2-22-2019This week Congress was in recess, taking its annual President’s Day break from the nation’s capital. FRA took the opportunity to make the rounds with several House and Senate offices to recruit support for our transportation-related issue priorities, namely the DRIVE-Safe Act, and legislation allowing trucks traveling at the maximum weight limit on state roads to travel at that weight limit on that state’s portion of the interstate highway system.

This week Congress was in recess, taking its annual President’s Day break from the nation’s capital. FRA took the opportunity to make the rounds with several House and Senate offices to recruit support for our transportation-related issue priorities, namely the DRIVE-Safe Act, and legislation allowing trucks traveling at the maximum weight limit on state roads to travel at that weight limit on that state’s portion of the interstate highway system.

The Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE) Safe Act would create apprenticeships that train 18-21-year olds to drive trucks interstate. The bill seeks to remove the single biggest regulatory barrier underlying the truck driver shortage: the recruitment of young drivers. Under the legislation, an apprenticeship program would be developed that addresses safety concerns of young drivers, a component of which requires 400 hours behind the wheel. Two hundred forty of those hours must be drive time with an experienced driver. The bill is expected to be introduced next week. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee, has committed to be the lead Democrat for the bill. Rep. Al Green (D-TX) also indicated he will be an original cosponsor. On the Republican side, Paul Mitchell (R-MI), also a T&I Committee member, will lead the bill alongside Trey Hollingsworth (R-IN). In the Senate, Senators. Todd Young (R-IN) and Jon Tester (D-MT) are the Republican and Democrat leads, respectively.

]]>user@mecgnv.com (FRA Admin)Issue UpdatesMon, 25 Feb 2019 07:25:40 -0500WSRI – FRA Transition Announcementhttps://forestresources.org/policy-priorities/issue-updates/item/1380-wsri-fra-transition-announcement
https://forestresources.org/policy-priorities/issue-updates/item/1380-wsri-fra-transition-announcementAfter 20 years of existence and for a variety of reasons, the Wood Supply Research Institute (WSRI) has decided that it is time to dissolve. The organization is transferring its assets and some of its mission to the Forest Resources Association (FRA). This move guarantees that WSRI’s research on the wood supply chain will not be lost.

While the dissolution of a great industry partner is difficult, this is a good opportunity to recognize WSRI. Formed in 1999, WSRI was born out of a desire to raise the caliber of dialog between wood suppliers and consumers, and identify opportunities for supply chain efficiency. Over the last 20 years, WSRI has commissioned and published dozens of reports on topics related to logging, trucking, planning, communications, receiving mill efficiency, raw material sustainability, and more.

FRA is a natural fit for institutional history of supply chain research. As the national association representing the businesses that make up the wood supply chain from the loggers, to suppliers and consuming mills, FRA focuses on the safe, efficient, and sustainable harvest of forest products and their transport from woods to mill. WSRI’s research on the industry is important to this effort and will continue to enhance FRA’s mission going forward.

As WSRI begins to transition its activities and research over to FRA, we have made a commitment to carry on and house WSRI’s research on the forest resources supply chain. The FRA Executive Committee plans to restrict WSRI’s assets to outreach efforts that will benefit the logging and trucking industry, and more broadly the forest products supply chain when and as appropriate. The topics of interest may include market dynamics, supply chain economics, factors affecting the wood supply chain, and supplier/manufacturer communications. FRA has also agreed to make WSRI’s archives and completed research studies publicly available on its website for the use of improving the efficiency, stability, and business successes of the total wood supply system.

FRA would like to recognize WSRI for its impact in bringing together all parts of the wood supply chain to address issues through research. These studies being absorbed into FRA are valuable to both FRA members and the forest resources industry at large. We will make sure FRA continues to be the best place to both host this research, and to further advance initiatives that bring value to this sector of the supply chain.

If you have any questions or concerns about this transition, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Thank you,Deb HawkinsonFRA President

]]>rob@mecgnv.com (FRA)Issue UpdatesWed, 20 Feb 2019 14:41:29 -0500Issue Update 2/14/2019https://forestresources.org/policy-priorities/issue-updates/item/1379-issue-update-2-14-2019
https://forestresources.org/policy-priorities/issue-updates/item/1379-issue-update-2-14-2019On February 14, the House and Senate passed the final spending bill for fiscal year 2019, which included funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Although a permanent fix for the H-2B visa cap was not included in the legislation, discretionary language which addresses the H-2B visa shortage for FY2019 was included.

On February 14, the House and Senate passed the final spending bill for fiscal year 2019, which included funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Although a permanent fix for the H-2B visa cap was not included in the legislation, discretionary language which addresses the H-2B visa shortage for FY2019 was included. This language allows the DHS, in consultation with the Department of Labor, to raise the H-2B cap from 66,000 to 135,320 for FY2019. FRA hoped for more, but given the current political climate getting this language in the bill is a significant achievement. Without the advocacy efforts of FRA members and many other organizations, an H-2B visa cap increase would not have been included.

On a related H-2B note, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has initiated a study on the H-2B program. This study is a bipartisan request from Congress to examine the impact of the H-2B visa cap on US businesses and local and state economies. GAO representatives interviewed FRA staff last week, and plan to complete the study in the fall of 2019.

Also on February 14, the proposed rule defining the “Waters of the US” (WOTUS) was published in the Federal Register. The rule defines the scope of waters federally regulated under the Clean Water Act. Publication of the rule initiates a 60-day public comment period. FRA will be working with allied associations in preparing comments.

]]>rob@mecgnv.com (FRA)Issue UpdatesFri, 15 Feb 2019 16:31:12 -0500Issue Update 2/1/19https://forestresources.org/policy-priorities/issue-updates/item/1369-issue-update-2-1-19
https://forestresources.org/policy-priorities/issue-updates/item/1369-issue-update-2-1-19URGENT: Contact your House and Senator Member and urge them to support a fix to the H-2B guestworker visa program.

URGENT: Contact your House and Senator Member and urge them to support a fix to the H-2B guestworker visa program. To send a letter click here. Please note letters can be modified.

On Monday the partial federal government shutdown ended. Federal employees started the work week after sitting out of what became the longest government funding lapse on record.

The temporary funding bill that passed expires on February 15 if an agreement is not reached. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations conference committee has set a goal to complete a DHS spending package by February 8. Conferees are listed below. If you have operations in any of the states and/or Congressional districts below please contact them and urge them to support an H-2B cap increase.

Senate Conferees:

Richard C. Shelby, R-Ala.;

Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.;

John Hoeven, R-N.D.;

Roy Blunt, R-Mo.;

Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt.;

Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill.; and

Jon Tester, D-Mont.

House Conferees:

Nita M. Lowey, D-N.Y-17;

Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Calif-40;

David E. Price, D-N.C.-4;

Barbara Lee, D-Calif.-13;

Henry Cuellar, D-Texas-28;

Pete Aguilar, D-Calif-31;

Kay Granger, R-Texas-12;

Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn.-3;

Tom Graves, R-Ga.14;

Steven M. Palazzo, R-Miss-4.

FRA and many allied organizations have been contacting legislators and leadership urging them to include a meaningful and permanent fix to the H-2B guest worker visa program. Proactive actions FRA has taken include:

Hill visits

Letter to House and Senate Leadership

Letters to DHS conference committee members

Action alert that will allow you to contact your Congressional Members.

Increasing the number of H-2B guestworker visas is critical to many businesses, and many Members are realizing this. As we reported last week nearly 130 Members in a bipartisan effort requested a permanent fix to the H-2B program in any DHS spending package.

This effort needs to continue. It’s important that you contact your Member and let them know the importance of increasing the number of H-2B visas means to the forest products industry supply chain.

]]>rob@mecgnv.com (FRA)Issue UpdatesFri, 01 Feb 2019 12:24:57 -0500FRA Policy Year in Review 2018https://forestresources.org/policy-priorities/issue-updates/item/1365-fra-policy-year-in-review-2018
https://forestresources.org/policy-priorities/issue-updates/item/1365-fra-policy-year-in-review-2018As we begin to focus on what opportunities are ahead in the new year and with the new Congress, FRA would like to take a brief look back over 2018 on the policy front. It was a year with several key issues relevant to the forest products industry coming together and remaining active at the end of the year. From continued guestworker visa reform efforts to ensure there are workers available to plant trees for a stable and sustainable fiber supply, opportunities to grow the industry’s footprint with the passage of the Farm Bill, and the continued focus to address transportation challenges, below are some of the key highlights.

As we begin to focus on what opportunities are ahead in the new year and with the new Congress, FRA would like to take a brief look back over 2018 on the policy front. It was a year with several key issues relevant to the forest products industry coming together and remaining active at the end of the year. From continued guestworker visa reform efforts to ensure there are workers available to plant trees for a stable and sustainable fiber supply, opportunities to grow the industry’s footprint with the passage of the Farm Bill, and the continued focus to address transportation challenges, below are some of the key highlights:

Guestworkerreform received a good deal of attention in 2018. In June, the full House took a vote on two separate occasions to move legislation improving access to seasonal workers for forestry work. On both occasions, the House did not pass guestworker reform legislation. Another opportunity presented itself in the Ag Legal Workforce Act (AGLWA). This legislation was an improvement on previous versions voted down earlier in June. FRA and others worked hard to get House Members to sign-on to the bill. These efforts were successful in securing 112 co-sponsors of the legislation; however, House leadership was not certain that the bill had enough support and decided not to bring it to the floor.

Currently, FRA is working to include guestworker reform in the FY2019 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations. This rider would double the existing seasonal guestworker cap in the H-2B program and allow forestry employers access to the uncapped H-2A guestworker visa program. Unfortunately, FRA’s efforts to pass this reform is caught up in the discussions on border wall funding and the government shutdown. FRA has continued to remain active on this issue during the shutdown by encouraging Congressional members and leadership that any appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland needs to include a fix for the H-2B visa program. The need for a fix is clear, as unprecedented demand for guestworker visas crashed the Department of Labor iCERT system on January 1, 2019 within the first five minutes of opening the semi-annual H-2B certification process.

On January 22, a letter was sent to House and Senate leadership requesting that any agreement ending the partial Government shutdown include a legislative solution to the H-2B guestworker visa program. This letter was signed by nearly 130 Congressional Members.

The President signed the Agriculture Improvement Act (Farm Bill) on December 20, 2018. The Farm Bill forestry title included funding for many forest conservation programs. Also included in the conference language was funding for the Community Wood Energy Program, Timber Innovation Act, and a number of federal forestry related provisions that included extending Categorical Exclusions for hazardous fuels removal and expanding the Good Neighbor Authority to county governments and Native American Tribes.

Soon after the President signed the Farm Bill, it was announced that all 14 of the wood products industry-supported changes that will allow for tall mass timber building construction were approved for inclusion in the 2021 International Building Code (IBC). These changes are the gateway for products like cross-laminated timber (CLT) to be used in taller commercial construction across the nation. The IBC approved changes will allow for tall mass timber construction up to 18 stories.

Transportation received a good deal of attention from the media in 2018, with most of the attention focused on the current and forecasted labor shortages. Initiatives to increase interstate truck weights failed to gain any traction during the year. Several bills were introduced throughout the year that addressed the restrictions causing the truck driver shortage. Two of the bills aimed to lessen the Hours of Service Regulation and one would have allowed 18-year-old drivers to drive across state lines with additional training, the Drive Safe Act (H.R. 5358).

FRA is currently reevaluating our strategy to increase interstate weights for movement of logs to mills. In December, we met with the American Trucking Association policy leadership to discuss opportunities for increased interstate gross vehicle weight (GVW) for hauling logs from the woods to the mill. We left this meeting with new thoughts and ideas. Look for a revised transportation strategy in 2019.

In 2018, the Trump Administration addressed several regulatory issues that are important to FRA membership. Most recently, EPA issued a proposed rule that would replace the Obama-era “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule. A 90-day comment period will follow publication of the WOTUS rule. In July, the Administration also proposed several amendments to the ESA. The proposed changes would adjust some long-standing rules and revisit changes made by the Obama administration. FRA anticipates the final ESA changes to be published in the coming months. The EPA additionally proposed the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule, a measure that seeks to replace the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan. The ACE rule provides more flexibility for states in determining emission limits for affected electric utilities. The rule recognizes forest-based derived biomass as a compliance option. We anticipate the final ACE rule to be published during the first quarter of 2019.

FRA continues to follow the development of the Lake States Region Bat Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). FRA has been actively working with state DNRs to develop reasonable take and conservation measures in the HCP, and we anticipate a final HCP in early 2020.

FRA has worked with allied associations and the Forest Service to keep timber sales active during the government shutdown. The USDA Secretary has approved the use of prior years’ dollars to keep active timber sales operating on Forest Service lands. This funding is critical to avoid change in status or suspension of active timber sales and costs associated with those actions. The Forest Service additionally will have the authority to advertise and award sales during the shutdown.

Thank you for your support this past year! We look forward to working together to strengthen our advocacy efforts and champion FRA priorities in 2019.

]]>rob@mecgnv.com (FRA)Issue UpdatesMon, 28 Jan 2019 10:47:10 -0500Issue Update 1/25/19https://forestresources.org/policy-priorities/issue-updates/item/1364-issue-update-1-25-19
https://forestresources.org/policy-priorities/issue-updates/item/1364-issue-update-1-25-19FRA continues to work with the H-2B Coalition to increase the availability of H-2B visas. On January 23, in an effort led by Senator Tillis (R-NC) and Representative Harris (R-MD), a letter was delivered to House and Senate leadership requesting that any agreement ending the partial federal government shutdown include a legislative solution to the H-2B guestworker visa program.

Guestworker Visas

FRA continues to work with the H-2B Coalition to increase the availability of H-2B visas. On January 23, in an effort led by Senator Tillis (R-NC) and Representative Harris (R-MD), a letter was delivered to House and Senate leadership requesting that any agreement ending the partial federal government shutdown include a legislative solution to the H-2B guestworker visa program. This letter was signed by 127 Congressional Members and boasts bipartisan support.

Transportation

FRA staff participated in the DRIVE Safe Act Coalition meeting on January 24 held in the American Trucking Association Capitol Hill office. The DRIVE Safe Act Coalition represents interests that are supporting the Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE) Safe Act (H.R. 5358, S. 3352), which was introduced in both the House and the Senate during the 115th Congress. The DRIVE Safe Act would create apprenticeships that train 18-21-year-olds to drive trucks on the interstate. Requirements of the proposed apprenticeship program include 400 training hours of which 240 hours must be drive time with an experienced driver. This legislation addresses the number one issue of the transportation industry, which is the shortage of qualified drivers. We anticipate a DRIVE Safe Bill to be introduced in the next few weeks and FRA will be working hard with our Senate and House champions to cosponsor the bill.

Federal Forestry

This week Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) introduced legislation that would amend the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003. H.R. 691 which provides for more proactive measures to improve forest health and productivity through treating federal forest lands affected by insect or disease by thinning and/or prescribed burn. The bill was assigned to the House Committee on Agriculture, chaired by Rep. Peterson (D-MN) and the House Committee on Natural Resource, chaired by Rep. Grijalva (D-AZ).

]]>rob@mecgnv.com (FRA)Issue UpdatesFri, 25 Jan 2019 13:23:48 -0500Issue Update 1/18/19https://forestresources.org/policy-priorities/issue-updates/item/1361-issue-update-1-18-19
https://forestresources.org/policy-priorities/issue-updates/item/1361-issue-update-1-18-19Today marks Day 28 of the partial federal government shutdown. Congressional leadership has cancelled the scheduled recess for next week to ensure that principals are in town should negotiations materialize.

Today marks Day 28 of the partial federal government shutdown. Congressional leadership has cancelled the scheduled recess for next week to ensure that principals are in town should negotiations materialize. The Administration and Congressional Democrats remain far apart in their position on border security. The House has been approving appropriations bills to reopen those portions of the federal government for which funding has lapsed, but these proposals will not move in the Senate without a signal from the President that he will support them.

Biomass

House Democrats yesterday unveiled a package of appropriations bills that would fund certain government agencies—including EPA and the Department of Interior—through September 30, 2019. The proposal is similar to measures that the House has already passed. Notably from FRA’s perspective, the package includes a provision directing EPA, USDA and DOE to recognize the carbon neutral nature of forest-based biomass energy. Recall that the forestry and forest products sector successfully enacted this directive a couple of years ago, but since it became law as part of a government spending bill, it must be renewed. FRA and our coalition partners have been working Congress to try to secure permanency for this provision. Thus far we have been unsuccessful, but have prevailed in reauthorizing our carbon neutrality directive each appropriations cycle.

Other notable provisions of the bill—H.R. 648—include:

Forest Service Funding: An increase of $28 million above than the 2018 enacted level and $864 million above the President’s budget request.

Prohibits funding for the Fish and Wildlife Service to write or issue a proposed rule to list the greater sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act

Again, assuming this proposal passes the House, its prospects in the Senate are grim as long as Administration opposition persists.

Biomass 101

FRA has joined AF&PA and AWC to continue to fund the Biomass 101 effort to address misrepresentation of the use of forest based biomass as a renewable. We anticipate more activity this year with the change in Congress and with that attempts to redefine renewable energy. Of particular note is the revival of a House Special Committee on Climate Change which Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) will lead. Recently, the Wall Street Journal featured a policy statement signed by a number of economists and former Republican and Democrat officials extolling the virtues of a carbon tax. So the issue is certainly receiving more attention and our opponents never miss an opportunity to demonize forest based biomass combustion in the context of this issue. For more information about Biomass 101 click here.

Federal Forestry

Last evening, the House passed a 3 week stopgap funding measure offering a temporary solution, along with more than $14 billion in disaster aid by a vote of 237-187. Included in the package were two amendments related to forest management. The first proposal, by Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT), would add $21 million for hazardous fuels reduction efforts. The second, by Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), would increase funding for state and private forestry programs by $10 million.

In a statement, Rep. Stewart indicated that funding is designed to improve forest resilience and to prevent new fires from starting.

Rep. Westerman's provision is vague on how the state and private forestry funds would be spent, but he spoke about the wildland-urban interface in a speech on the House floor and noted that many of those areas are in the eastern U.S. as well as the West and that over half of the country’s forestland is privately owned.

The Forest Service this week provided guidance to Regional Foresters that allows “new” timber sales to be offered by the Forest Service during the shutdown. The continuation of timber sales during the shutdown critical to meet FY2019 timber program targets.

Labor Secretary Calls for Guest Worker System Overhaul

The Wall Street Journal, today, published an article about the current deficiencies in the process used to obtain visas for seasonal workers. Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta cited the recent crash of the system when it was overwhelmed by H-2B visa requests on January 1. The DOL received 3 times as many requests than available guest worker visas. Acosta stated that he would prefer Congress to act and set a number for guest worker visas as opposed to the current method of a lengthy rulemaking process that is often not timely for the businesses seeking seasonal guest worker visas.

]]>rob@mecgnv.com (FRA)Issue UpdatesTue, 22 Jan 2019 10:50:10 -0500Issue Update 1/11/19https://forestresources.org/policy-priorities/issue-updates/item/1358-issue-update-1-11-19
https://forestresources.org/policy-priorities/issue-updates/item/1358-issue-update-1-11-19The partial government shutdown has officially reached the three week mark, tying the record for the longest federal government funding lapse in history.

Guestworkers/Government Funding

The partial government shutdown has officially reached the three week mark, tying the record for the longest federal government funding lapse in history. In the midst of this, FRA is working with our guestworker reform coalition partners to seek permanent H-2B cap relief as part of any agreement that is ultimately forged to end the partial government shutdown. Attached is a letter that Reps. Harris (R-MD) and Pingree (D-ME) and Senators Tillis (R-NC) and King (I-ME) plan to send to House and Senate leadership advocating for this outcome. The goal is to add signatures for as many Members of Congress as possible by the close of business Monday, January 14.

We need your help to present a strong letter of support to leadership by taking a few minutes today to call your Senators and Representatives. The message is simple, ask them to sign on to the attached letter by Monday. You can reach your elected officials through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-225-3121. Once connected to the office, ask to speak to the staff person who handles H-2B issues. It is fine to leave a message on their voice mail. Explain the urgent need for cap relief and below are a few bullet points on why it is important to the forest products industry:

Keeps the U.S. wood supply chain competitive internationally;

Domestic U.S. workers are typically not interested in these types of forestry jobs;

Provides a workforce that is able to be both seasonal and itinerant.

We remain confident that a compromise on a spending bill will be reached, but a timetable is uncertain. Thank you for your help and for again making these important phone calls to do all we can to include a solution to H-2B guestworker visa.